Hands-On Workshop: How Design Protection Can Drive Innovation

Join us for an inspirational, engaging, practical and hands-on afternoon focusing on how design enhances business competitiveness and market positioning, when protection should be considered in the design lifecycle, and with the opportunity to discuss incentives that support design protection.

Date: Mon, 22 September 2025
Time: 14:00 – 17:00 CEST
Location: Designmuseum Danmark, 68 Bredgade, 1260 Copenhagen, Denmark

Background
Design protection is a cornerstone in strengthening the value of new products, whether tangible or intangible. It helps protect products from being copied and provides investors with the assurance that the products they invest in are unique and protected. For many companies, design protection is a strategically important tool in business development.

Danish companies are particularly active in design protection from a European perspective; however, the list is dominated by large companies. There seems to be untapped potential for SMEs, independent designers, and design agencies.

Copenhagen is the location for this year’s DesignEurope Awards, hosted by EUIPO, and this occasion provides a valuable opportunity to bring together industry professionals and design protection experts.

Participation: free of charge
Registration Link: bit.ly/3UMumrB (Eventbrite)

Hosted by Danish Design Centre, EUIPO and BEDA in collaboration with Design denmark, FAOD and Design Museum Denmark.

Programme

14:00-14:10 Welcome & Opening Remarks
BEDA President & DDC Chief Design Officer Christina Melander
EUIPO Director of Business Operations Department Miguel Gusmâo

14:10-15:00 Designs & Competitiveness
Introduction: Design rights as competitive assets, Alfonso Cid, EUIPO
Case 1: Caramma / Co-Founder Rie Makaki
Case 2: Coloplast / Design & Experience Manager Jakob Herold
Case 3: Scenes with Founder, Michael Rying

15:00-15:10 Coffee Break & Networking
Opportunity to connect, reflect, and meet speakers, peers, and experts.

15:10-15:50 Workshop
Group discussions facilitated by EUIPO Examiners and BEDA, including Päivi Tahkokallio, Isabelle Vérilhac, Francois Caspar and Dita Danosa

Point of departure BEDA board member and CEO of the Latvian Design Centre, Dita Danosa

Today’s topics:

• How design enhances business competitiveness and market positioning.
• Key moments in the design lifecycle when protection should be considered.
• Main barriers that prevent businesses from registering their designs.
• Current and future incentives that support design registration.

15:50-16:10 Sharing exercise
Participants present the outcomes of their group discussions in a creative format / DDC.

16:10-16:25 Useful information for designers moving forward / EUIPO
Specific training package for designers and materials

16:25-16:30 Closing remarks / Christina Melander

16:30-17:00 Networking/wine
Opportunity to connect, reflect, and meet speakers, peers, and experts.

Note: Your registration gives you access to the DesignEurope Awards (Reception at the Opera House, Monday, September 22, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM at the Opera House and the Award Show on September 23, 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM at Den Sorte Diamant, followed by a cocktail reception).

You will receive a separate invitation from EUIPO via your email.

Do you have questions about the workshop programme?
Reach out to Christina Melander at cme{at}ddc.dk

Last updated: 27/10/25